What is a NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCE?

 A nonrenewable resource is a substance that is used up more quickly than it can

replace itself.
 The supply of a nonrenewable resource is finite, which means it cannot easily be
replenished
 Nonrenewable resources are extracted directly from the Earth.
 Most fossil fuels, minerals, and metal ores are nonrenewable resources.
 The opposite of nonrenewable resources is renewable ones, whose supplies are
abundant and are considered sustainable.

A non-renewable resource refers to a natural resource that is found beneath the earth,
which when consumed, does not replenish at the same speed at which it is used up. The
resources typically take millions of years to develop. The main examples of non-
renewable resources are fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas, which humans regularly
draw to produce energy.
SCOPE

The scope of non-renewable resources refers to the extent and limitations of

these resources in meeting the current and future demands of human
societies. These resources can’t be replaced by natural means at a pace that
meets its consumption. A lot of fossil fuels, such as oil, are nonrenewable
resources. In other words, if people keep using them, they will eventually run
out. Learn more about these resources through examples of nonrenewable
resources.

Non-renewable resources, such as coal and oil, are the primary source of power in the world,
and they are used to power vehicles, factories, and homes. Although affordable, they can be
harmful to the environment and are one of the notable contributors to global warming.

The scope of non-renewable resources refers to the extent and limitations of these resources in
meeting the current and future demands of human societies. Non-renewable resources are finite
and cannot be replaced on a human timescale, as they are formed over geological time periods.
The two main categories of non-renewable resources are fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and
natural gas) and minerals (like metals and non-metals).

EXAMPLES
There are four major types of nonrenewable resources: oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear
energy. Oil, natural gas, and coal are collectively called fossil fuels. Fossil fuels were formed
within the Earth from dead plants and animals over millions of years—hence the name “fossil”
fuels.
Fossil Fuels
The most well-known nonrenewable resource is fossil fuels. These are derived from organic
matter trapped between layers of sediments within the Earth for millions of years. Organic
matter, typically plants, has decomposed and compressed over time, leaving what is known as
fossil fuel deposits.

These deposits and the materials produced from them tend to be highly combustible, making
them potent energy sources. They’re difficult to obtain because they’re typically retrieved
through drilling or mining.
Crude Oil/Petroleum
Crude oil is a nonrenewable resource that builds up in liquid form between the layers of the
Earth's crust. It’s retrieved by drilling into the ground and ocean floor and pumping the liquid out.
The liquid is then refined and used to create many different products.

Crude oil is a versatile fuel used to produce things like plastics, artificial food flavorings, heating
oil, petrol, diesel, jet fuel, and propane.
The top three oil-producing countries are the United States, Saudi Arabia and Russia.
Petroleum deposits that begin to form underground are known as oil sands, bitumen or
bituminous sands. Bitumen is too thick to be pumped under natural conditions. Scientists refer
to it as cold molasses. With special machinery, much of this is being mined in Alberta, Canada,
serving as a major energy source for Canadians and people worldwide.

Natural Gas
Natural gas gathers below the Earth's crust and, like crude oil, must be drilled for and pumped
out. Methane and ethane are the most common types of gases obtained through this process.

These gases are most commonly used in home heating as well as gas ovens, stoves and grills.
Russia, Iran and Qatar are the countries with the largest recorded natural gas reserves.

Methane is odorless, and it is mixed with a special additive to give it an odor for easy detection
in case there is gas leakage. Once natural gas is extracted, it is sent to processing plants to
remove propane and butane, which are used as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Natural gas is
used for heating homes, as well as for cooking in gas ovens, stoves, and grills.
Coal
Coal is the last of the major fossil fuels. Created by compressed organic matter, it is solid as a
rock and is obtained via mining.

Coal is most typically used in home heating and the running of power plants.
Out of all countries, China produces the most coal by far. In fact, it has been the largest
producer of coal for the last three decades, producing about 3.7 billion tons of coal in 2019.

The main types of coal are anthracite, lignite, bituminous coal, and sub-bituminous coal.
Bituminous is found in the United States. It contains 45% to 86% of carbon. It has a high heat
content and is used in generating energy and in making steel and iron.

Examples of Nonrenewable Resources: Nuclear Fuels

The other form of nonrenewable resources used to produce energy, nuclear fuels, is primarily
obtained through the mining and refining of uranium ore.

Uranium Ore
Uranium is a naturally occurring element found within the Earth's core. Most uranium deposits
occur in small quantities, which miners gather, refine and purify. Once gathered, the uranium is
brought together and compounded into rods. The rods are then submerged into tanks of water.

When it reaches critical mass, uranium begins to break down and release energy, which heats
the water it is immersed in. The breaking down is known as fission. The heated water then
creates pressure. This pressure drives the turbines that generate electricity in nuclear power
plants.

THE IMPORTANCE OF NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES TO THE ENVIRONMENT

While non-renewable resources play a crucial role in supporting various human activities and industries,
it's important to note that their extraction, processing, and use can have significant environmental
impacts. The importance of non-renewable resources to the environment is a complex issue, involving
both positive and negative aspects. Here are some key points to consider:

**Positive Aspects:**

1. **Energy Production:** Non-renewable resources, especially fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas,
have been instrumental in meeting the world's energy demands. They provide a reliable and consistent
source of energy for electricity generation, heating, and various industrial processes.
2. **Industrial Applications:** Non-renewable resources, including minerals and metals, are essential
for manufacturing and construction. They are used in the production of goods such as vehicles,
machinery, electronics, and infrastructure, contributing to economic development.

3. **Technological Advancement:** Many technological advancements, from transportation to

communication devices, rely on non-renewable resources. The development of modern society has
been closely tied to the utilization of these resources.

**Negative Aspects:**

1. **Environmental Degradation:** The extraction of non-renewable resources often involves significant

environmental disruption, such as deforestation, habitat destruction, and soil erosion. Mining activities
can result in the disturbance of ecosystems and the loss of biodiversity.

2. **Air and Water Pollution:** The combustion of fossil fuels releases pollutants into the air,
contributing to air quality issues and climate change. Extracting and processing minerals can lead to
water pollution through the release of hazardous chemicals and heavy metals.

3. **Greenhouse Gas Emissions:** The burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, particularly
carbon dioxide (CO2), which is a major contributor to climate change. This has far-reaching
consequences for the environment, including rising global temperatures, sea level rise, and more
frequent extreme weather events.

4. **Depletion of Resources:** Non-renewable resources are finite, and their extraction can lead to
resource depletion. As these resources are consumed at a faster rate than they are naturally
replenished, there is a risk of shortages and increased competition for access to these valuable
commodities.

5. **Transition Challenges:** Dependence on non-renewable resources hinders the global transition to

more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources. This transition is crucial for mitigating
the impacts of climate change and reducing environmental harm.